A computer-based questionnaire was developed to help parents who have not received specialized training to determine whether their young children need further assessment for diagnosis of developmentally at-risk status. The computer automatically determines a starting point for a series of questions according to the child's chronological age. The…

Describes how "being fully in the present" by providing quality time--defined as a combination of addressing needs and providing activities--provided a better learning environment for very young children, and for teachers, the ability to appreciate the uniqueness of children. Discusses and evaluates three types of quality time. (SD)

Examined psychometric properties of Parenting Stress Index. Subjects were 191 low-income, urban African American mothers. Found acceptable subscale internal consistency and stability over six months. Concurrent validity revealed high convergence across measures among mothers reporting consistent stress. Subjects reported elevated stress levels in…

Contains two short, experientially oriented articles for caregivers of infants and toddlers. The first promotes and describes gardening options for infants including choice of plants and activities. The second presents coping strategies for toddlers when a change of teacher or caregiver occurs, including development of an effective transition…

Hypothesizes regarding factors that enhance prosociality in children, implying that the quality of childrearing and early companionship have profound impact on toddlers' social behavior. Discusses observation space versus companion space, prosocial behavior across cultures, when toddlers abuse, and the implications of a circular reenactment of…

Examined toddlers' self-regulated compliance to mothers, fathers, and caregivers. Found child emotion regulation and adult warm control in discipline situation related to self-regulated compliance to mother, caregiver, and father. Compliance to parents correlated with parental sensitivity and philosophies. Compliance to caregivers correlated with…

Considers effects of culture, health status, socioeconomic status, family structure, and biological factors on minority infants' development. (PCB)

Reviews two books for experienced teachers and administrators on national issues for care of infants and toddlers: "Caring for Infants and Toddlers in Violent Environments" (Osofsky and Fenichel, editors) and "Starting Points: Meeting the Needs of Our Youngest Children" (Carnegie Corporation). (JW)

Data based on about 400 families are used to describe development of early intervention services at the Maryland School for the Deaf from 1969 to 1992. Implications are discussed in relation to very early identification of hard-of-hearing and deaf children, the impact of changing etiologies, and the training of early intervention specialists.…

Describes a model of comprehensive individualized support for young children (ages 24 to 48 months) with severe developmental disabilities, including autism, based on a triad of essential elements: (1) development of functional communication skills; (2) supported participation in socially inclusive environments; and (3) multifaceted family…

Describes the modes of transmission of HIV and the course of the disease in infants and toddlers. Information is provided on its effects on early development, medical screening and treatments, therapies, psychosocial assistance, and interventions, including nutritional therapy, occupational and physical therapies, and speech and language therapy.…

Conflicting perspectives on the parent's role in the infant/toddler classroom can play a significant role in early educational settings. A recent ethnographic study of an Early Head Start program in New York City focused on conflict of this nature and raised the following set of questions: What sort of power and privilege should parents be given…

Compelling evidence from neuroscience about how early relationships and experience influence the architecture of the brain, and in turn early school success, has led to increasing policy and practice attention to implementing child development and family support programs like Early Head Start for infants and toddlers. But, there is also a group of…

Effective intervention for early language delay in minority and poor children is difficult to provide because we know so little about its prevention, assessment, and treatment. This article provides an overview of an "integrative model of minority child development" that considers the influence of social factors such as race and class to explore…

Early Head Start services are typically offered through home- or center-based delivery models. A formative evaluation of an example of each service delivery model was conducted. The purpose was to examine the issues involved in the implementation of these two service delivery models relative to the content of services, intensity of services,…